Rockefeller praises CHIP on anniversary

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller says championing the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program is one of his proudest fights.

Monday marks the fourth anniversary of the program's reauthorization by Congress. Rockefeller authored the 1997 legislation that created the program. It provides health insurance for children who are uninsured.

The West Virginia Democrat says 40,000 children in West Virginia and 8 million nationwide are now covered by the program.

He says in a news release that health care is a right, not a privilege.